2.Infinity

Looking back on ALL those posts I wrote throughout this past summer is such an exhausting task considering the heavy topics they discussed like existential relativism, story narratives in popular music today, ukraine and russia upsetting the market, immorality of photoshop and waldo: where is he?! ha.

To be honest, I am genuinely disappointed in myself. Not because I starved you of the indulgence my blog truly is, but due to the simple fact that writing is therapy. I think I could've solved some problems much easier if I had the patience to open Flynn, jot brain doodles, publish, read, edit, then publish again. If only... OH WELL! I shan't be one to dwell on regret, that's 2009 Kanye's thing.

Side note: I'm planning to continue Pinkies Up for the rest of the school year, but for realzies this time. Though, don't expect one per week. More like one per exam when Madeline is feeling stressed.

ONTO THE NOW EDITION OF TONIGHT'S PROGRAM
"The NOW is a quick recap on past events...it's supposed to be ironic and stuff"

Now that we've had the talk ("it's me, not you"), watch this video. (Because that's follows a logical train of thought.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxPcQeYx43g

Now read this poem:

oblivion, here i am
little me, little lamb

crossing the rubicon

too far gone

another self left behind

never again of my kind

who is this steering?

who waits at the clearing?

shiver runs down my spine

a fear tasting like fine wine

battle scars melt into bone

no such thing as "fully grown"

shouting orders at a mule

when i too am a fool

control, a theory at best,

adorned like armor on the chest

silver stone rectangles

spurt from fallen leaves

labeled by others

for eternity

their shadows dip the earth

in dark, sloppy stains

trampled and forgotten

they lie waste in vain

aren't we all echoes

of the same, soft voice

pretending to be original

pretending to have a choice

this cave of confusion

drips in tears

its history etched

by timeless woes and fears

pride refuses to believe

the dirt where we are conceived

stupidity chooses to forget

its home so bloodied and wet

yet where does this leave me?

am i a fly who picks its web?

or am i a bird ready to soar,

craving every view of every door?

so here i set sail

with no colors to wave

refusing to fail

i voyage from this cave.

Now listen to "Drew" by Goldfrapp, "Viva la Vida" by David Garrett, "Once Upon a Dream" by Lana del Rey, and "The Man Comes Around" by Jonny Cash. No, they're not new or popular, but they are awesome. And my ears are addicted.

THIS CONCLUDES THE NOW.

GOODNIGHT.

2.1 Mumbo Jumbo Rumbo Gumbo Dumbo

Greetings to my fellow earthlings,

Today is Father's Day. Have you ever wondered why the government reserved such days for its people to celebrate? I ask this question because I am interested in its answer but not enough to do the search myself. My theory, though, is that some politician wanted to boost his/her approval ratings and decided to propose Father's/Mother's days since everyone has a mother and father and therefore the target audience (so to speak) could be anyone!

<<<<<<<<<SELF-MANDATED INTERJECTION TO END RANT>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I made this today: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/sausage-tomato-arugula-fettucc-50400000108346/

I included scrambled eggs, yellow zucchini, and some parsley in the mix. For side dishes I added a salad (lettuce, spinach, carrots, onions, garlic and almonds) and a fruit "mix" (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and bananas). There was also store bought french bread on the table. Overall, I'd say it was a successful dinner though I'll need to expand my cooking repertoire and find more healthy recipe options. Suggestions?

Ok. I'm done with the Rachel Ray act. I just wanted to begin with something light and easy. But that's a terrible way to begin. If you haven't figured this out already, I'm a bit off my game tonight (suggesting that I have previously attained game...lies!). Explanation? Nothing but the bland, irksome excuse of, I'm tired. Therefore, this noggin of mine ain't transmittin' translatable information to Flynn.

For those of you who are uneducated in everything Madeline, Flynn is my laptop. I like him a lot. He's the reason for this blog reaching you poor unfortunate souls. He is my Hermes. My Phoebe. My Pheidippides (though Flynn's battery is easily recharged).

Anyway ----- let's get real.

Here are the past week's failures:
1. My typical lunch (provided by the camp): two pieces of artificial bread slammed together with nothing but an obviously uncomfortable slice of what appeared to be turkey but tasted like chicken fat.
2. A fellow camp worker sliced his hand with a tomahawk. Sooooo that happened.
3. Missouri citizens=most.boring.people.ever.
4. Haven't finish Dracula yet!
5. Drove over half an hour to a movie already sold out.
6. Got a whiff of Marmite.
7. I was spiritually frazzle-dazzled (not in the good way) by slightly pentecostal church service.

Though these are "failures" I cannot but help smiling as I read each numbered line. In a way, they are also highlights since each labeled failure gave an opportunity for me to think and process about new situations, people and places in a challenging yet nurturing fashion.

All in all, this has been a FAAAANNNTTTASSSTTIICCC week. I've met some incredible people here at camp; learned new skills (in social, athletic and logistical capacities); and have become truly humbled by the blessed patience, compassion and grace of those who support me.

Sorry for the lack of wit...and amusement...and length...and quality content...

but who gives a crap?! This is PINKIES UP!




That's supposed to mean something.

A Sequel?

What word heals an underpaid teacher's growing headache?! 

What magical spell sparks a kid back to life?! 

What two syllables awaken the dragon called Fear in a parent's belly?! 

SUUUMMMMMMMEEEERRRRRR!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to Pinkies Up: the Sequel!! Now for all two of you readers out there (hi Mom! hi Dad!), here's a little explanation. After last summer's final post, people protested - nay, they FOUGHT for Pinkies Up return! They were addicts and I cut them off from the goods. Yes, Pinkies Up t'was their drug. BUT, amidst the darkness and confusion a light appeared! It's name: Sun. And Sun grew bigger and bigger until spring was no more, creating summer (I'm like a totally total science gene-to-the-yes).

True. Story.

I can only fulfill the audience's wishes by embarking on another Pinkies Up summer. In other words, I'm giving back your drug. I'm just that nice. 

So, pray tell, what does a Pinkies Up Sequel look like anyway?! Aren't sequels usually worse than the original?! Yes, they are but Pinkies Up is not "usual." It's unusual. To answer your first question, the sequel shall NOT be set in the mothaland (Britania). Alas, tis true. INSTEAD, I shalt be in the merryland working at a camp. I mean, who'd want to travel in Europe when they can work at an underpaid children's camp?! ...yeah...

Here are some fun things you can expect from summer 2014:

1. A post EVERY Friday unless there's a post on SUNDAY! 

2. Camp STORIES! I'm going to be working with archery so it's gonna get real

3. Books! I'm reading them!

4. Recipes! (I'm mean, c'mon, what did you expect? this IS a blog)

5. AANNNNNYYYYTHTTHTHTHTING!

Don't forget the rules to the blog (F's to all those who did!) because I don't know about you, but no one likes an uncivilized blog. Pinkies Up is all about the experience.

That's all I got. I shall be writing the first real post of this new summer this Friday. 

Put them pinkies UP!

The End

The End.

Two words I dread when I'm edging closer and closer to the back cover of a beloved book. Two words depleting the hopes of conjuring the Fountain of Youth. Two words that are ubiquitous in any and every endeavor one tries to undertake. Two words...

This is really negative. Crap. I don't want to finish "Pinkies Up" with a "Pinkies Down" attitude.

(See what I did there? Yeah, soak it in, soak it all in.)

But what is a "Pinkies Up" attitude anyway? In reference to tea drinking, it might sound snobbish but I beg to differ.

Pinkies Up is all about grabbing onto something new - like an authentic English tea cup - and owning it. Down to the last sip.

For me, going to places like Warner Bros. Studios, The Grumpy Mole, Hampton Court, London, the cinema, Buckingham Palace, a gospel choir concert, Guildford castle or The King's Arms pub embodies everything to do with Pinkies Up. Especially when family is involved.

Yes, this is "The End" but that only means its time to pick up a new book to cherish. No matter what that book is about, however, I will try to always, always remember Pinkies Up.

Chapter Five but not really

I want to say thank you and congrats to the two followers of Pinkies Up: Mom and Dad. You two are a great team and twenty-five years is quite a feat, especially with four kids to boot. In honor of your anniversary, I decided to write a short poem. Nothing spectacular but it's something...

Woven deep with threads that keep
binds two in one and one in six
twenty-five years the clock has ticked

Dressed in white their journey took flight
but now in silver we watch them soar
twenty-five years and still wanting more

Growing stress, Dad forgets the GPS
but Mom comes to his rescue
twenty-five years, nothing new

For some reason, God thought they'd fit
this Yank and this Brit, and alas He was right
twenty-five years, no Revolution in sight

Your officially old earning rights to scold
soon it will be your golden year
with grandkids, arthritis and Black Toad beer

Happy 25th Anniversary!

Sorry I can't be there for the celebration, but I love you guys so that's got to count for something.

Chapter Four

You know you're in Great Britain when...

1. The "movie theater" is the "cinema"

I recently went to go see a film with two of my cousins called "The World's End." Basically, it was the epitome of British-boy humor full of beer and robots. I also enjoyed the mannered way of receiving my tickets at the cinema. The lady at the desk pleasantly asked me where I'd like to sit, pulling out a map of the theater with the seats numbered. I was then politely ushered into a mini-cafe with choices of pastries, popcorn and tea. Another employee showed me to my designated seat with a warm smile and a welcoming, "Enjoy your film." In short, I need to go to the cinema more often.

2. You play the football (soccer) version of basketball H-O-R-S-E with your boy cousins

Five of us got in a circle, kicking a soccer ball in the air. Each time someone allowed the ball to run loose or bounce more than once, they received a letter until the word is completed. Unlike in basketball, however, the name of the game was A-R-S-E.

3. The crowd sits perfectly still at a gospel choir concert...as in frozen

I went to a gospel choir concert at a church two days ago with my aunt and cousin; the choir itself was very animated, swaying back and forth constantly. Their voices reverberated against all the walls of the church, saturated with power and rejuvenation. I wanted to get up and dance with them, or at least clap my hands and shout a couple "Amens"! But I looked around and was surprised to see stony faces everywhere. Not even a slight bob of the head. Its not as if the audience didn't enjoy the concert, by all means, at the end (when it was appropriate to show emotion) the choir received a raucous applause. I was flabbergasted, intrigued, and humored all at the same time. I mean, don't these Brits have soul?

4. The "backyard" is the "garden"

I spent Sunday afternoon in the garden playing croquet with my family. I don't understand why croquet isn't popular in America, its simply sublime! Now I realize cricket will never be popular in the States but croquet, c'mon, it deserves a chance.

5. You begin getting annoyed with Americans

Today, I visited Warner Bros Studios of the Harry Potter films near London. The tour itself was spectacular; I am still in awe of the momentous energy invested in the intrinsic detail in each and every film. The costumes, sets, props, visual effects, special effects, animals, animal trainers, and engineered magic combined made the Harry Potter experience an universally iconic phenomenon. As a tourist attraction, though, there were people from all over the globe including other Americans. One American group in particular was being especially loud and obnoxious, and in response, I caught myself thinking, "Shut up, you stupid Yankees." 

Chapter Three

Today I've been surrounding myself with history, films and literature. So I've decided to keep today's post short and sweet by simply talking (or rather rambling) about beauty. Beauty which vanity demands, art interprets and age covets seems fantastical and even impossible to maintain. Its as if it is a mere idea breathing only in the inky pages of fairy tales, but not at all applicable to today's reality.

But what is beauty anyways? What tool or figure can strip it bare to its fundamental elements?

Perhaps this is the wrong question to ask. Perhaps the right question is "What is not beautiful?"

Divinity claims "I am who I am." And aren't we - all creatures great and small - made in the visage of the most divine?

Hence I am made, we are made, for the purpose of saying "I am who I am."I am beautiful because I am who I am; you are beautiful because you are who you are.

Should we be proud? Should we gloat? Should we ignore? The reaction or the way in which one condones God's gifts defines the magnitude of one's beauty. I wish to glorify His beauty through me since He has placed it in me. This is what I believe at least, what do you believe? What is beauty to you?

Anyways, those thoughts have just been weighing on my mind especially after reading and studying Jane Austen, listening to the "Pride and Prejudice" CD, flipping through "Photographs for the Tsar," and watching a romantic film on Queen Victoria's relationship with her husband, Albert. You can now see why I've decided to write about "what is beauty."

On a similar note, I was also able to go for a little walk in the woods today. I brought a camera and quickly shot this video...don't judge my vlogging abilities, its a bit rough I know.

Hope all is well with you
PINKIES UP